Chapter 6
Jude
Em: Hey hubby!
It’s not exactly the response I’d expected. Then again, I hadn’t expected a reply so soon either. I’m taking it as a win.
Something I learned about Em in the short amount of time I got to spend with her after the wedding was the fact there are two sides to her.
There’s the strong, kickass, independent woman on the outside that goes after what she wants and makes things happen. Then there’s the caring, sometimes goofy, fiercely protective, and multi-layered one she keeps for those in her close family circle.
While I count myself blessed to have seen even a sliver of that private side, all it has done is left me wanting more. And since there hasn’t been a day that I haven’t thought of her since she returned to Palmer, that’s saying something.
At first, I wondered if it was a simple case of ADHD hyperfixation.
Since being diagnosed in my teens, I’ve made it my mission to learn about my ADHD and since Sutton has literally made a career out of studying mental health disorders, he has always been my go-to person when I have any questions.
When it comes to Em, we both agree my feelings and preoccupation with her are more likely to be Call related.
Sutton explained it like this, both hyperfixation and lust—and, in turn, love and attraction—are driven by the brain's dopamine-seeking system.
Dopamine is the thing that makes you feel good.
Like when I got Sully’s blessing and asked Em to marry me… that felt good. I’d say it was the same as after our first and only kiss as husband and wife. Except that felt better than anything I’d ever experienced in my life thus far.
Therefore, it makes sense that my default is to blame everything on ADHD. Now that I have the mountain’s Call to consider, I’m guessing life is about to get a hell of a lot more interesting.
These are the kind of things running around in my brain on an endless loop since that day I first went to the Wilson Ranch and especially since Em’s departure.
I think that’s why I’ve made a point of keeping in touch with the Wilsons.
It both makes sense and makes none at all.
It’s a total one-eighty from before Sully passed, but something about the events of that day brought us all closer.
It’s as if the old man finally got what he was wanting his entire life—a mountain united.
Considering the grievances were never ours to begin with, it has been easy to put them aside.
Wy nudges my arm and nods down at my phone. “What’s got you smilin’ like that?”
We’ve been busy harvesting the last of the crops before the weather turns and it gets really cold. Now that we’ve finished with that, we’re getting ready to plant some garlic, carrots, broccoli, and cabbage.
“Em messaged me back.”
His eyes crinkle at the sides as he shoulder bumps me. “That’s awesome. Now you’ve just got to decide how not to freak her out again.”
I glare at my best friend. “I didn’t do anythin’. Dare, Asher, and the twins all admitted they thought Em would bolt faster than an unbroken stallion. They just didn’t think she’d leave as fast as she did.”
“You know I’m just teasin’. Hell, you haven’t even told her she’s your One. That’s usually a surefire way to get a girl to run. So, the way I see it, she didn’t leave the mountain cause she fake married you. I mean… I wouldn’t blame her, but—”
I narrow my eyes. “Why do I keep you around again?”
“Because you love me. Though I’m thinkin’ those days are numbered. Soon enough you’ll leave me to ride into the sunset with your beloved Marion and I’ll have to pick up your slack.” He says this while returning his attention to the garden beds in front of us,
“Wy, I’m not leavin’ the mountain,” I tell him. “I can’t. You forget about the clause in Gramps’s will.”
He shoots an arched brow in my direction while continuing to plant along the line of dirt, not even dipping his head once to check his work. Yet another reason why hiring him to be an extra set of hands—especially with his experience and ranch know-how—has been a huge help to all of us.
“So, pray tell, how do you plan on livin’ happily ever after with your wife if she a) doesn’t yet know she’s your One, and b) doesn’t want to live on the mountain or in Timber Falls?”
“We don’t know that yet,” I counter.
“Except the fact she left years ago to build a life somewhere else, a place she couldn’t wait to get back to?”
“I—” Shit. I didn’t actually factor her life in Palmer into any of my imaginings of what our future together might look like.
Wyatt’s eyes fill with understanding “The Call is a lot, Jude. I’ve seen many a man wobble and have doubts as they’re goin’ through it. For you, it’s been a whole lot more already and you’ve barely started along the journey.”
“Like what?”
He stares at me dumbfounded. “There’s you realizin’ that the only daughter of your family’s rival is your fated soulmate, a dyin’ man’s request that you marry and look out for her, the rushed weddin’, whatever happened between you and Em before the ceremony that had you nervous and excited in equal measure, and then Sully passin’ while we were all celebratin’?
That’s more than a lot, and all of that happened in one day. ”
My lips tug up on one side. “When you put it that way…”
“Then she left—and believe me, havin’ lost a parent, I get it.
But she did it without sayin’ goodbye and you somehow had the patience and wherewithal to last this long before askin’ her brothers for her phone number,” he continues.
“Now, I don’t know about you, but that’s shit on top of crap, with a sprinklin’ of manure on it, as my Dad would say. ”
I splutter out a laugh. “Say what you mean, Wy.”
“I’m sayin’, I like that she replied and didn’t leave you hangin’. What I like more is seein’ you smile bigger than I’ve seen in the month she’s been gone, and all from seein’ her name on your phone. That’s all. End of deep and meaningful talk,” he adds.
“I smile.”
“Not like that.” He points to my lips which have curled up of their own volition. “That’s the smile of a man with a crush.”
I snort. “And how would you know about crushes?”
“I don’t yet. Just seen more than my fair share of couples find the happiness they deserve with each other.” His expression turns serious. “Lookin’ forward to watchin’ as you work your way toward your happy ever after with Em.”
I stare at him, my throat feeling weird. “Thanks, man.”
He jerks his chin up. “Right. Enough of all of that. We’re supposed to be big, burly, rough and tough mountain ranchers.
” That gets me laughing. “You goin’ to answer her now or wait till you’ve figured out and overanalyzed what to say and how to say it for a while?
” Damn, it’s like he knows me or something.
“Probably better if I wait till I’m not in the middle of somethin’ and know I can’t give both tasks my full attention,” I reply.
“Good choice. We better get plantin' then so you have enough time to formulate five different responses for your text.” Wy may tease me but he’s also not wrong. “You’ve waited this long, what’s a few more hours. Especially since you’ve been feelin’ the effects already.”
I still and slowly tilt my head his way. “I’m fine. It’s fine.”
“So, you haven’t been super tired lately and rubbing your sternum like it’s achin’ all hours of the day?”
“Nope,” I reply quickly.
“Bullshit,” he says, muffling the word with a fake cough into his hand.
“OK, how ‘bout I say it’s nothin’ I can’t handle. Just got to hope she’s not feelin’ them.”
Wyatt shakes his head. “It doesn’t work that way, Jude. It’s not one-sided. The physical effects of the Call when you’re not with your One are universal.”
“I’m just happy that she replied. Maybe now we can chat and get to know each other. I figure that’ll be a good start. Build a strong foundation of friendship first. That’s what happens in all of Aster’s books so that’s what I’m focusin’ on.”
“You and those books. You know life can’t be dictated by a book, just like relationships don’t always work out the way they do in romance novels,” he says.
I roll my eyes with a sigh. “I know. It would be a hell of a lot easier if they did, that’s for sure.”
“From your mouth to God's ears, Jude.” He reaches out and cups my shoulder. “Just know, there ain’t nobody on this mountain that deserves it more than you. I'll be here for whatever you need, whenever you need it, just to make this happen. OK?”
“Yep. And I’ll take you up on that, startin’ now. How ‘bout we stop ramblin’ and start plantin’. Seems I’ve got a message to reply to.”
Dare: Heard from my sister yet?
Jude: Are you a psychic or something?
Dare: Nope. Knew she got a message from you when she called to chew us out.
Jude: Did she not WANT me to have her number?
Dare: Honestly, I don’t think Em knows WHAT she wants right now. Or if she does, she ain’t telling us. Way I see it, she wouldn’t have called us if she didn’t care. She would’ve just deleted the message.
Jude: That’s a good thing then?
Dare: With Em, yeah. I think you’ll be OK. What did she say anyway?
Jude: Hey Hubby!
Dare: Hahahahahaha God I love my sister.
I’m not about to tell him I’m destined to love her too. Though I’m not sure it’s a secret.
Dare: You replied back to her, right?
Jude: I’m getting there. We had to harvest the last remaining crops and plant a few more. Like you guys should be doing soon too.
Dare: You telling me how to run my ranch?
I laugh at that, earning a curious look from Case and Isla who are cuddling on the sofa watching Jeopardy! of all things. Will and Birdie are in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner and Sutton and Blair have gone down the mountain for a date night somewhere secret.
Jude: I don’t think anyone could tell you what to do. Maybe Em could though.
Dare: Now I see the plan. Make my sister fall in love with you so she’ll come back and you can take over the mountain.
Jude: Never thought of that. Thanks for the idea. I’ll be sure to keep it in mind.